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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.14.20
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Nate
2:27
Hi Ray, after an offensive playmaker, which position would you target next if you were the Steelers' GM - offensive lineman or linebacker?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Depends on who is available. I think OL should be a higher priority, but the best ones likely get drafted before 102. So you might be bale to get better value if you take an ILB in round 3, if that makes sense.
MrCJJr
2:29
Hi Ray, hope all is well. Thanks for the chat. I'm sure everyone who follows the Steelers closely is scratching or shaking their heads at all the mock drafts choosing Hurts as the Steelers first pick. Other than the outside perspective of Ben (age, elbow surgery, etc.), what is your opinion of why people are saying QB with the first pick? Stay safe sir.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I honestly have no idea. Most mock drafts from national analysts don't have the insight that local reporters do. They might just take a cursory look at the roster and think QB is a need.
AK
2:30
I think our #1 need is a deep threat WR, followed by ILB, OL, DL, and S.  What is your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
WR or RB and then OL, ILB, OLB. Not really picky wit the order after round 2.
Tim
2:31
I'll keep it simple...how would you rank the running backs if available to the Steelers when drafting at No. 49...(Swift, Dobbins, Taylor, Akers & Edwards-Helaire)? Who would you want from first to last -- not saying they will all be available...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Taylor, Swift, Akers, Dobbins, Edwards-Helaire. I like all of them. I just wonder about pass pro with Edwards-Helaire. He's only 5-7. Not sure if that's a fit for the Steelers. Might be better fit with another team that doesn't as RBs to pass protect as much as the Steelers do.
Nate
2:33
Hi Ray, if the Steelers draft WR with pick 49, should they still look for a RB in the later rounds?  Or would they probably be drafting more of what they already have - a non #1 RB?  Although, they could find the next Willie Parker!  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Good point, there is an old saying you can find a RB anywhere. And it's true to a certain extent. Parker was an UDFA.
Retire21
2:34
Rob Cooke floated signing Shady McCoy as an alternative to drafting an RB. Are you buying or selling?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Selling, but I won't dismiss the idea of signing a veteran RB completely because they've done it before.
Ken K
2:34
Do you think It is possible the Steelers are hiding their interest in Jalen Hurts and that is why there has been no talk about him going there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
No.
CincyJoe
2:35
Do you think the Steelers will draft another TE knowing Ebron nd McDonald will be gone in 2021?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I just don't think this is a great TE class so probably not.
2:45
Sorry had to take a call for a story I'm working on. Let's answer a few more.
Heath Miller Fan
2:45
Ray, thanks for doing the chats. Knowing the Steelers the way you do which WR and RB do you think they have their eyes on?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Keep an eye on Jalen Reagor if he is there at 49. If it's a RB, look for a three-down back to replace Conner.
Guest
2:46
I'm already hearing large events getting cancelled through the rest of the year. Do you think would try to find a way to play games without fans? Or would it be just too much of a risk to the players. Looking more and more like this might be the season that never was...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
I think that's a possibility. Every sports league is looking at that possibility. For the NFL, a large portion of their revenue is through TV contracts so they'd definitely be motivated to make it work.
Richy
2:47
Ray, in your opinion which position on offense and defense is the most likely to have an immediate impact in their first year in the NFL? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
RB on offense and probably nose tackle on defense.
BigAL
2:48
Hey Ray, the more I run through these mock draft sims, the more it makes sense for the Steelers to draft a guy like Josh Uche with their first pick and a starting caliber OT like Jack Driscoll with their second. Drafting just those 2 players solves 4 positional needs. Thoughts.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Uche is an undersized edge. I don't have his exact measurements, but I think he's something like 6-1, 242. Correct me if I'm wrong. So I just don't see how he'd fit into the Steelers defense. That's certainly not prototypical size for their OLBs. Sutton Smith was a sixth-round pick so I'm not comparing him to Uche, but we all saw how he had a hard time playing on the edge in the NFL. It's hard at that size. Maybe uche could play ILB, but you'd be taking a big chance because what he does best in rush the passer.
Nancy
2:50
Hi Ray...On ESPN this morning, Mel Kiper has the Steelers drafting Jalen Hurts at #49 saying Hurts is in the mold of Lamar Jacksons and that the NFL is a copycat league.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
If Jalen Hurts is Lamar Jackson then why couldn't he hang onto his job at Alabama?
Lucky
2:51
I don’t understand the rationale for a WR in Rd 2.  With Juju, Johnson, Washington and Ebron split out in probably a lot of packages when would the new wr see the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
They could use some variety in their WR corps. I think a playmaker in the slot would be nice. I also think a deep threat would be nice, too. Washington came on last season, but he's not big or fast. A freak athlete to go up and make some plays is something this offense could use.
Chuck
2:52
Can you see the steelers bringing in a DT like Snacks Harrison on a 1 yr vet min to fill a void?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Well, they just acquired Wormley in a trade so probably not unless they do it after the draft.
Dan Rooney
2:53
let's play what if. If we (the Steelers) still had our first round draft pick (#18), who do you think we would have drafted? In my world, I would have never allowed the pick to be traded, but times change (and no one listens to me anymore because of the 6' feet of dirt on my coffin).You can pick a player, or a position if you are not sure of the player. But I do like that Minkah guy...he seems like a keeper and probably much better than we would have picked at 18
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
You are right. Minkah is an All-Pro and will be a part of this defense for years to come. You don't always get players like that in the middle of the first round. Remember Jarvis Jones? He was the No. 17 overall pick. It's a crapshoot. When you can get a player like Minkah you don't think twice about it, especially when you have three more years of control like they do.
STEEL TOWN
2:55
Wanted to get your take on the LB from Wyoming,  Logan Wilson?  Looks good on tape, but I don't hear much about him.  What rounds is he projected to go.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Good player. Three-down ILB option. Can play the pass too. Might go higher than the third round because of that, but he'd be in that round 2-3 range.
Chuck
2:55
I keep seeing ILB a need, but do you expect a big jump from Ulysees Gilbert III? I see him replacing Matakevich
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
Gilbert played only on special teams so that would be quite a projection to see him playing 70 percent of the snaps like Barron did last year.
Utah Jim
2:56
I just can’t bring myself to believe the first pick should be a WR. As it stands today, he would be 7th in line for touches behind the top three WRs, both TEs, and Conner. I could see RB if they have no plans to keep Conner, but I prefer OL or LB. Am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:58
Who is their slot WR? Switzer is coming off a back injury and didn't play after Ben exited the lineup. It's not so much about the numbers as it is getting guys who can be effective in their roles.
Jeff
2:58
Banner is a beast but is he quick enough to stop good edge rushers?  only see him in running plays
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